Rep. Roger Skraba

Maddy summaryHF 2635 appropriates $5.5 million from Minnesota's workforce development fund to build a regional career technical education center in Northeastern Minnesota. The funds will support Independent School District No. 704 in Proctor, in partnership with Hermantown and Esko school districts, to construct a facility for workforce training. The center must address regional industry needs and can use the funds for property, construction, remodeling, and equipment. This bill directly affects students and job seekers in the Northeastern Minnesota region by creating a dedicated training hub.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to waive fees for specific fishing licenses for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities. It directly affects Minnesota veterans who have a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as defined by federal law. The provision allows them to obtain licenses for a fish house, dark house, or shelter without paying fees, using a VA disability letter or a driver's license with a designated disability indicator as proof. The change modifies existing statute 97A.441, subdivision 5, to include these fee waivers for eligible veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for using a $17.5 million 2023 grant to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District for wastewater clarifier projects. It amends existing law to keep the funding available until December 31, 2029, ensuring the district can complete the design, construction, and rehabilitation of four secondary clarifiers at its wastewater treatment system. The bill directly affects the district's infrastructure project without creating new policy or altering funding amounts.

Maddy summaryHF 2750 appropriates $6.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of a new National Loon Center in Crosslake, Minnesota. The city of Crosslake will receive the grant to build a facility with visitor services, educational exhibits, and adjacent public spaces including parking. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $6.5 million under existing bond statutes to cover these costs. This funding directly supports Crosslake’s development of a public visitor center focused on loon conservation and education.

Maddy summaryHF 1580 amends Minnesota law to require medical personnel to provide immediate care to infants born alive during abortion procedures. The bill mandates that such infants be recognized as human persons under the law and that all reasonable medical measures, consistent with standard practice, be taken to preserve their life and health, including proper medical documentation. This directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions in Minnesota who encounter infants born alive. The law takes effect the day after final enactment. It focuses solely on medical care protocols for surviving infants, not on changing abortion access or legality.

Maddy summaryHF 1003 appropriates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to Independent School District 294 in Houston for its Minnesota Virtual Academy career pathways program, in partnership with Operating Engineers Local 49. The program provides up to five semesters of courses leading to eligibility for the Operating Engineers apprenticeship program. It requires targeted outreach to students of color, Indigenous students, low-income students, and other underserved groups, and mandates an annual report to legislative committees detailing participant demographics, program spending, and recommendations for statewide improvements. This bill specifically supports one school district's program, not a statewide initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 1504 appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs. The funds are specifically designated for grants to "Veterans on the Lake" to cover expenses related to veteran retreats. These expenses include therapy, transportation, and customized activities for veterans. The bill directly affects the Veterans on the Lake organization and the veterans participating in their retreat programs.

Maddy summaryHF 438 allows the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District in Minnesota to reduce its board of managers from five to three members, subject to approval by the district's governing body. The bill specifies that vacancies won't be filled until the board reaches three members, after which vacancies will follow standard procedures to maintain the three-member structure. It also requires the governing body to assign newly elected members to staggered terms to avoid multiple terms expiring in the same year. This change takes effect after the district complies with state requirements for board elections.

Maddy summaryHF 566 amends Minnesota law to clarify rules for operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on public roads. It specifies that ATVs may be operated on the right shoulder or extreme right side of county/state highways (for accessing businesses/trails) and in ditches/slopes under certain conditions, while restricting operation in agricultural zones (April 1-August 1) and between sunset and sunrise. The bill also updates local government authority to allow ATVs on roads for access to businesses/residences via ordinance, with specific speed and access requirements for smaller communities. These changes directly affect ATV operators, local municipalities creating ordinances, and agricultural workers using ATVs for farm access.

Maddy summaryHF 1344 allows volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and ambulance crews in Minnesota to use approved red or red-and-white flashing warning lights on their personal vehicles while responding to emergency calls. The bill amends Minnesota law to explicitly permit these lights under existing permit rules (Minnesota Statutes 169.58), requiring lights to be no larger than 3 inches and only activated during emergency responses. It clarifies that these volunteers' vehicles qualify as "authorized emergency vehicles" under traffic law (Minnesota Statutes 169.64), ensuring consistent enforcement. The change directly affects volunteer first responders who use personal vehicles for emergency duties, making their use of warning lights legally clear and consistent with state regulations.